Aniket Rai
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why he picked Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United vs Everton
Speaking before the game against Everton (h/t The Independent), Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer clarified why he benched Cristiano Ronaldo and picked Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial to start against Everton.
The Portuguese superstar started for the Red Devils against Villarreal on Wednesday night in a crucial UEFA Champions League group game.
He lasted the full 90 minutes and went on to score an injury-time winner against the Yellow Submarines. But United’s team for their game against Everton saw some big changes in the starting XI from their outing against the Spaniards.
Jadon Sancho, Ronaldo, Alex Telles, Paul Pogba, and Diogo Dalot were among those who dropped to the bench. Cavani and Martial got much-needed starts, and Solskjaer put this squad rotation down to the mid-week game against Villarreal.
United falter again
“Wednesday night was a big effort, a big emotional and physical output. We needed to freshen it up when it’s an early kick off. The start will be very important, we’ve got very good players coming on as well.”
When asked why Cavani and Martial started the game, Solskjaer claimed that the duo had something to prove.
“There’s always a point to prove always when you’re on the pitch. They know they’re good players and will be important for us. If we’re going to be successful this season we need to rotate, manage the minutes and make sure we’re a big squad together.”
The move paid off as Anthony Martial netted just moments before half-time to put United in front. Ronaldo, Sancho, and Pogba all came on but to little effect as Everton equalized through Andros Townsend in the 65th minute.
More Manchester United News:
- Real Madrid are eyeing a deal for Manchester United star Edinson Cavani in January
- PSG set to hand Manchester United blow in the race to sign AC Milan ace Franck Kessie
- Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer regarding how he wants Manchester United should play
The game ended 1-1 but one silver lining from another disastrous result would be Martial’s goal, which could act as a launching pad for him to recreate the magnificent 2019/20 season that he had with the club.
